Wand of Astral Energy

This wand stores charges of Astral Bolt, an Astrology spell that flings a bolt of astral energy whose damage and range grow with the caster's level; a save vs Dexterity halves the damage. Wands are usually metal or bone, 1 to 1-1/2 ft. long and about half an inch thick, and most wear a costly headpiece of gems or precious metal (primitive casters use carved bone). A wand holds up to 50 charges and can be recharged, but it cannot be used to strike.

It needs a minor magic item's materials (1,000 G.P. or more of incense, herbs and other offerings, a wand of superior quality and another 5,000 G.P.) and a month plus a day per charge of enchanting, about 12 hours daily. Success is 99%, but missing a day spoils that week's work and missing two spoils everything. It sells for at least double its materials, plus 1,000 G.P. per week of work and 500 G.P. per storable spell.

A spoken command word fires a charge instantly, though no magic item works more than once a round; non-casters need Read Magic. Since Astral Bolt is reserved for astrologers and mages, other casters may not make or wield it.